Cincinnati Reds' Dusty Baker impressed by Aroldis Chapman’s performance – MLB News
The Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker on Monday, July 23, said that the team closer Aroldis Chapman is getting better at throwing with genuine consistency on back-to-back days. Dusty Baker also seems quite impressed by the tremendously good performance of Chapman.
"He's getting better at throwing back the second day with the same stuff that he has the first day," Baker said. "Your body gets acclimated to whatever role that you're in after a period of time."
Chapman had initially been brought to strengthen the bullpen. But his role has gradually transformed into that of a closer. From the performance, it can easily be discerned that he can discharge responsibility at any position assigned to him.
That whether Chapman be inserted into bullpen or be tried as the closer remained a debate in the first half of the season. But that was quickly resolved, bringing him as the closer. Since then, Chapman has not looked back and is giving his best to bestow victories on the Reds.
"We needed him in that role. That's the thing," Baker said. "There was a ton of debate about should he be starting early in the season, but where would we be right now without him? ... He's been involved in half our wins almost. I just hate to think where we'd be without him, as our setup man first and then our closer."
In July alone, he has not given up any hit with no rest at all. The stats read quite impressively for the closer, demonstrating the fact that he would be a key player in keeping the Reds head and shoulders above the rivals in the National League Central.
In his last 10 appearances, the player has had eight saves, bolstering the Reds to a considerably big extent.
Chapman has so far appeared in 42 games this season, winning four games and having no less than 17 saves with his 1.58 ERA, going for 86 strike-outs in 45.2 innings. If he continues to dominate on mound, he will indeed be the best discovery for the Reds this season.
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